Research and hard work pays off at Green Valley
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Tuesday, 17 July, 2001 - 22:00
GREEN Valley Vineyard has come a long way since its establishment in 1979.
For some time, principal Ed Green had been looking for a hobby and a way to escape the pressures of his job as manager of the aviation and defence weather service programs with the Bureau of Meteorology.
Ed and his wife, Elenore, spent quite a deal of time researching the Margaret River region before settling on the Green Valley site.
“We had a number of prerequisites we were looking for,” he said.
“After several visits to properties with an estate agent, we eventually ventured out on our own and found the property we have now.”
Ed spent many of his early days in Margaret River learning and helping out at Vasse Felix with (then) winemaker and owner David Gregg. (David helped make the first Green Valley wines, which continued to be made at Vasse Felix until Keith Mugford of Moss Wood took over with the 2000 vintage.)
Ed now has his wines in many of Perth’s leading restaurants, including Friends and Villa D’Este. He also exports his wine to Singapore, and a selection can be found throughout the US. In fact, the LA Times recently spent time at Green Valley for a story it is running on WA.
Green Valley is worth exploring the next time you are in Margaret River. You will still find Ed, Elenore and their dog, Eddie’s son (named because he has a household full of daughters), at the tasting counter. It is
doubtful you will be disappointed.
Green Valley Premium Dry White 2000 rrp $16.50 16.75/20 points (Keith Mugford)
Thankfully not labelled as another classic white, this premium dry white will soon get a name change and be referred to as Margaret River Gelignite Block White. This wine is far from your normal zesty and upfront fruit-driven classic white styles that are in plentiful supply throughout Margaret River. Keith Mugford has stamped his mark on this wine. Cold ferments with wild yeast and lees contact just a few of the complex techniques that this wine has undergone. Blended with parcels of chenin blanc, muller thurgau and colombard, the wine is quite funky and has citrus flavours with a touch of fruit tingles. A mineral flavour flows through the wine and it finishes crisp and tangy with length. I think best suited when matched with food.
Green Valley Riesling 2000 rrp $15.00 15.75/20 points (Keith Mugford)
This is the first riesling made under Keith Mugford’s direction and it shows some interesting Alsatian characters. Lime citrus with a steely mineral undertone. The palate show off those mineral flavours with touches of limey citrus and an almost marzipan feel. In its infant stages this wine is quite austere, and it will be interesting to see how it develops.
Green Valley Chardonnay 1999 rrp $23.50 16.50/20 points (Clive Otto)
Plenty to find in this chardonnay. It has a mass of aroma that leaps out at you – cashews with citrus rind and butter characters. The palate is still showing some tight, restrained fruit, with some lime citrus and nectarine stone fruit flavours that integrate with the oak. It is still slightly dominated by oak at present, although the evidence of fruit structure behind the oak leaves you with thoughts of how this wine will come together over the next few years. This is very good Margaret River chardonnay.
Green Valley Gelignite Block Shiraz 2000 rrp $23.50 16.50/20 points (Keith Mugford)
This is the first shiraz produced by Green Valley and it is showing some potential already. The vines were planted in 1995 and have been subjected to attack from the local bird population over their infant years. An interesting wine that on first impressions I’d describe as reminiscent of the Rhone Valley wines. The aromatics are complex with black cherries, black olives and prunes with an underlying earthiness. The palate is rich with prunes, stewed plums and cherries, while the acidity and tannins are well placed. Oak does not dominate and the wine has good length. As these vines develop further I think you will see stunning results from this block.
Green Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 rrp $27.50 17/20 points (Clive Otto)
I seem to have a soft spot for Margaret River cabernet sauvignon and this is a wine that, over the years, has produced some stunning results. John Jens has long been a fan of this wine and often sings its praises as only he can. The ’98 vintage displays some vibrant and enticing perfumed aromas that lead you into the palate, which shows of sweet ripe fruit with dusty tannins and good acidity. Everything integrates and you are left with a elegant long finish.
For some time, principal Ed Green had been looking for a hobby and a way to escape the pressures of his job as manager of the aviation and defence weather service programs with the Bureau of Meteorology.
Ed and his wife, Elenore, spent quite a deal of time researching the Margaret River region before settling on the Green Valley site.
“We had a number of prerequisites we were looking for,” he said.
“After several visits to properties with an estate agent, we eventually ventured out on our own and found the property we have now.”
Ed spent many of his early days in Margaret River learning and helping out at Vasse Felix with (then) winemaker and owner David Gregg. (David helped make the first Green Valley wines, which continued to be made at Vasse Felix until Keith Mugford of Moss Wood took over with the 2000 vintage.)
Ed now has his wines in many of Perth’s leading restaurants, including Friends and Villa D’Este. He also exports his wine to Singapore, and a selection can be found throughout the US. In fact, the LA Times recently spent time at Green Valley for a story it is running on WA.
Green Valley is worth exploring the next time you are in Margaret River. You will still find Ed, Elenore and their dog, Eddie’s son (named because he has a household full of daughters), at the tasting counter. It is
doubtful you will be disappointed.
Green Valley Premium Dry White 2000 rrp $16.50 16.75/20 points (Keith Mugford)
Thankfully not labelled as another classic white, this premium dry white will soon get a name change and be referred to as Margaret River Gelignite Block White. This wine is far from your normal zesty and upfront fruit-driven classic white styles that are in plentiful supply throughout Margaret River. Keith Mugford has stamped his mark on this wine. Cold ferments with wild yeast and lees contact just a few of the complex techniques that this wine has undergone. Blended with parcels of chenin blanc, muller thurgau and colombard, the wine is quite funky and has citrus flavours with a touch of fruit tingles. A mineral flavour flows through the wine and it finishes crisp and tangy with length. I think best suited when matched with food.
Green Valley Riesling 2000 rrp $15.00 15.75/20 points (Keith Mugford)
This is the first riesling made under Keith Mugford’s direction and it shows some interesting Alsatian characters. Lime citrus with a steely mineral undertone. The palate show off those mineral flavours with touches of limey citrus and an almost marzipan feel. In its infant stages this wine is quite austere, and it will be interesting to see how it develops.
Green Valley Chardonnay 1999 rrp $23.50 16.50/20 points (Clive Otto)
Plenty to find in this chardonnay. It has a mass of aroma that leaps out at you – cashews with citrus rind and butter characters. The palate is still showing some tight, restrained fruit, with some lime citrus and nectarine stone fruit flavours that integrate with the oak. It is still slightly dominated by oak at present, although the evidence of fruit structure behind the oak leaves you with thoughts of how this wine will come together over the next few years. This is very good Margaret River chardonnay.
Green Valley Gelignite Block Shiraz 2000 rrp $23.50 16.50/20 points (Keith Mugford)
This is the first shiraz produced by Green Valley and it is showing some potential already. The vines were planted in 1995 and have been subjected to attack from the local bird population over their infant years. An interesting wine that on first impressions I’d describe as reminiscent of the Rhone Valley wines. The aromatics are complex with black cherries, black olives and prunes with an underlying earthiness. The palate is rich with prunes, stewed plums and cherries, while the acidity and tannins are well placed. Oak does not dominate and the wine has good length. As these vines develop further I think you will see stunning results from this block.
Green Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 rrp $27.50 17/20 points (Clive Otto)
I seem to have a soft spot for Margaret River cabernet sauvignon and this is a wine that, over the years, has produced some stunning results. John Jens has long been a fan of this wine and often sings its praises as only he can. The ’98 vintage displays some vibrant and enticing perfumed aromas that lead you into the palate, which shows of sweet ripe fruit with dusty tannins and good acidity. Everything integrates and you are left with a elegant long finish.